ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´

Photograph of Peter Garnsey

Phone number: +44 (0)1223 339420

Email: pdag1@cam.ac.uk

Website:

Professor Peter Garnsey

Emeritus Fellow
University Positions
Director of Research
Subjects
Specialising in
History of Classical Antiquity

Peter Garnsey is an Emeritus Fellow at ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´ specialising in Greek and Roman Ancient History, Legal History and Philosophy.

Academic interests

Peter Garnsey's current research projects include:

  • History of ideas, with special reference to theories of property, from antiquity to the 19th century
  • Diet, nutrition, and health of past populations through the study of human skeletal remains, with special reference to ancient Rome and Italy
  • The history of late antiquity
  • History of ideas, with special reference to the debate over capital punishment.

Degrees obtained

  • MA, Sydney.
  • MA, DPhil, Oxford.

Other interests

The culture of Italy and France, music, sport, yoga.

Department link

Publications, links and resources

  • Against the Death Penalty: Writings from the First Abolitionists, Giuseppe Pelli and Cesare Beccaria, Princeton 2020.
  • Thinking About Property, From Antiquity to the Age of Revolution, Cambridge 2007.
  • Lactantius, Divine Institutes. Introd/Transl./Notes, Liverpool 2003 (co author).
  • Evolution of the Late Antique World, Cambridge 2001 (co author).
  • Food and Society in Classical Antiquity, Cambridge 1999.
  • Cities, Peasants and Food, Cambridge 1998.
  • Ideas of Slavery from Aristotle to Augustine, Cambridge 1996.
  • Famine and Food Supply in the Graeco-Roman World, Cambridge 1988.
  • The Roman Empire: Society, Economy and Culture, London 1987 (co author).
  • Social Status and Legal Privilege in the Roman Empire, Oxford, 1970.
  • Cambridge Ancient History, co editor vols. XI (2000), XII (2005), XIII (1998).

Hear from our students

  • Photograph of a postgraduate student

    Tara

    Postgraduate

    ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´ has all the benefits of being large, historical and prestigious college, whilst also retaining fantastic welfare: the staff and other students all care about each other, and will be there to cheer you on when you are thriving, but also there to support you if you need any help. I chose Jesus due to several reasons, including its prime location, where it is very central, and easy to access everywhere, even if you work in one of the institutes further out. I also selected Jesus for its MCR...

    Read more
    Postgraduate
  • Postgraduate at ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´

    Dolly

    Postgraduate

    I chose ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´ because of the great mixture of undergraduates and postgraduates, and when I first visited I thought it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen! The sense of community in Jesus has had an enormous impact on my experience here. Whether you need help, advice, cheering up or even just a chat there is always someone there to put a smile on your face. From the MCR committee to the Porters, the canteen staff to the gardeners, everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Jesus also...

    Read more
    Postgraduate
  • Photo of postgraduate student

    Ellie

    Postgraduate

    ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´ has been a great home for me during my PhD. I chose ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´ for a number of reasons – first, the location. We are central enough to be within easy walking distance of most things, but far enough away to avoid the hustle and bustle (and tourists in summer!). The College also has extensive grounds, with amenities like the hockey pitch, football pitch and tennis courts all on site. Secondly, the accommodation is some of the best I’ve seen in Cambridge. My house was newly renovated when...

    Read more
    Postgraduate
  • Postgraduate at ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´

    Tom

    Postgraduate

    There are many reasons why I’m so happy to be a part of ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´. The three biggest reasons for me are the opportunities to be involved in College sport, the support the College provides for me with for my research and the help in making sure that we have comfortable, affordable accommodation when we have needed it. ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´ is so friendly and so it is incredibly easy to get involved in the sport and social side of the College. The MCR does a great job in welcoming new...

    Read more
    Postgraduate
  • Photograph of a postgraduate student

    Jake

    Postgraduate

    When applying to Cambridge colleges it can feel a bit overwhelming as there are so many to choose from. I applied to ÌÀÍ·ÌõÔ­´´ because it has a large MCR which was important for me because I wanted to feel part of a community. Now that I’m doing my PhD here, I’m very glad I did choose a college with a large postgraduate community. Throughout the year there are lots of postgraduate events, including formal dinners, special formals at Christmas and Easter, bops in the bar and film nights in...

    Read more
    Postgraduate